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McAlister joins Saints secondary: Hobbled and disenchanted, Chris McAlister wasn't sure he wanted to play in the NFL any more. Suddenly, the 10-year veteran cornerback has been snapped up by the New Orleans Saints -- one of only two remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL -- and he's glad to be back in pads again. "Earlier in the offseason I wasn't ready or (didn't) have the mindset to come back and play football," McAlister said Wednesday, his first day with the club. "For it to take as long as it did, I'm happy it happened before I had no other opportunity." At 32, McAlister was bitter about being cut by Baltimore, the only team for which he'd played during a highlight-filled career that included three Pro Bowl invitations, a victory in the 2001 Super Bowl and a famous 107-yard touchdown return of a missed field goal. "He's a veteran player that understands defense and is someone that we think can come in and help us," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "He worked out yesterday and did a good job." (Updated 11/18/2009).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 11/21/09).
Fantasy Analysis
McAlister injured the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the middle of the 2007 season, but tried to play through it. He wound up playing in only eight games two seasons ago and six games last season before having season-ending surgery last November. In February, while undergoing rehab, he was released by the Ravens. In June, he needed arthroscopic surgery to clean up debris in the same knee and he remained unsure about whether he wanted to attempt a comeback until the preseason rolled around. Payton said the Saints are trying to get McAlister ready to play this Sunday, though it's unclear how much they'll need him. New Orleans knows it will be without starting cornerback Tracy Porter, who badly sprained his left knee last weekend against St. Louis. The other starting cornerback, Jabari Greer, said his pulled left groin is feeling better and that he may return, though he missed Wednesday's practice. New Orleans' remaining healthy cornerbacks are rookie Malcolm Jenkins, Randall Gay and Leigh Torrence. The Saints have played well defensively this season under Gregg Williams and the Saints DST has become a top Fantasy option. The addition of McAlister should only bolster the unit. Consider the Saints DST a viable start for Week 11 at Tampa Bay. (Updated 11/18/2009).
